Female genital mutilation high in South-East – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund on Monday said the high prevalence of female genital mutilation in the South-East was a cause for concern.

UNICEF said it was worrisome that there was no significant reduction in the rate of the practice, despite sustained awareness campaigns.


The Chief Field Officer, UNICEF in Enugu, Mr. Charles Nzuki, disclosed this at a state mid-year review and planning meeting with implementing partners for the South-East zone.

According to figures released by Nzuki, Ebonyi State has the highest number of female genital mutilation cases among the South-East states with a 62.3 per cent prevalence rate.

Imo and Enugu states followed with 58.4 per cent and 45 per cent prevalence rates, respectively.

Abia State has a 44 per cent prevalence rate, while the level of the practice in Anambra State is 30.8 per cent.

The meeting reviewed results recorded in the implementation of the 2015 work-plan, and also considered plans for 2016.

The UNICEF officer urged representatives of the various South-East state governments to ensure that the programmes discussed at the meeting were integrated into their different states’ year plan.

“UNICEF does not have a programme on its own but supports both federal and state governments’ programmes,” Nzuki added.

Interestingly, most of those at the meeting said they were not aware of the country’s anti-female genital mutilation law.

Nzuki also said it was worrisome that infant mortality was still high in the country despite improved antenatal care.

According to him, the level of antenatal attendance and care from skilled health providers in the country is 85.1 per cent.

“Yet we lose about 38 per cent of newborns under five years within the first 28 days of birth in Nigeria,” he said.